Assessment of Tug of War pullers competition intensity and physiological response at the 2019 European Championship

Tug of war (TOW) involves 2 teams of eight people, pulling against each other on a rope. The main goal of TOW is to pull the opposing team towards a centre line over a distance of 4 m. The measurement of physiological parameters is key to understanding the demands of an activity and to identifying its limiting performance factors. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the intensity and effort demands of TOW pullers during competition, as follows: Data were collected from 7 male pullers (Height: 175.14±4.85; Body Mass: 77.39±3.92; Age: 39.86±11.68; %Fat: 17.56±5.21; VO2max: 44.24±8.38) in the 560 kg category. The blood lactate concentrations (LAC) were assessed before and at the end of each pull, and the global rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at the end of the pulls. The following week, pullers performed a graded exercise test (GXT). Heart rate, LAC and RPE were assessed before, during and at the end of the GXT to calculate the individual anaerobic threshold. The mean blood lactate concentrations recorded at the end of the pulls (6±1.9 mmol/l) were 32% higher than the mean values recorded for the individual anaerobic threshold intensity (4.1±0.5 mmol/l). For their part, the mean RPE values of athletes after the pulls (6±1.5 mmol/l) were 21% lower than those obtained for intensity of the individual anaerobic threshold (7.6±0.8 mmol/l). The intensity and effort response are greater and kept above the anaerobic threshold during the competition in TOW pullers. Resumen. Tug of war (TOW) involucra a 2 equipos de ocho personas, tirando una contra la otra con una cuerda. El objetivo principal es llevar al equipo contrario hacia una línea central a una distancia de 4 m. La medición de parámetros fisiológicos es clave para comprender las demandas de una actividad y para identificar sus factores limitantes de rendimiento. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar la intensidad y las demandas de esfuerzo de los tiradores de TOW durante la competición. 7 tiradores masculinos (altura: 175,14 ± 4,85; masa corporal: 77,39 ± 3,92; edad: 39,86 ± 11,68; % de grasa: 17,56 ± 5,21; VO2max: 44,24 ± 8,38) en la categoría de 560 kg. Se evaluaron concentraciones de lactato (LAC) antes y después de cada tirada, y el esfuerzo percibido (RPE) al final. La siguiente semana, los tiradores realizaron una prueba de esfuerzo (GXT). La FC, LAC y RPE se evaluaron antes, durante y después del GXT para calcular el umbral anaeróbico individual. Las concentraciones de LAC registradas medios registrados para la intensidad del umbral anaeróbico individual (VT2) (4,1 ± 0,5 mmol/l). Los valores medios de RPE de los deportistas en competición (6 ± 1,5 mmol/l) fueron un 21% inferiores a los obtenidos para la intensidad del VT2 (7,6 ± 0,8 mmol/l). La intensidad y la respuesta al esfuerzo son mayores y se mantienen por encima del VT2 durante la competición en tiradores TOW al final de los tirones (6 ± 1,9 mmol/l) fueron un 32% más altas que los valores.

Effects of face masks on performance and cardiorespiratory response in well-trained athletes

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, compulsory masks became an integral part of outdoor sports such as jogging in crowded areas (e.g. city parks) as well as indoor sports in gyms and sports centers. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the effects of medical face masks on performance and cardiorespiratory parameters in athletes. Methods In a randomized, cross-over design, 16 well-trained athletes (age 27 ± 7 years, peak oxygen consumption 56.2 ± 5.6 ml kg−1 min−1, maximum performance 5.1 ± 0.5 Watt kg−1) underwent three stepwise incremental exercise tests to exhaustion without mask (NM), with surgical mask (SM) and FFP2 mask (FFP2). Cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses were monitored by spiroergometry and blood lactate (BLa) testing throughout the tests. Results There was a large effect of masks on performance with a significant reduction of maximum performance with SM (355 ± 41 Watt) and FFP2 (364 ± 43 Watt) compared to NM (377 ± 40 Watt), respectively (p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.50). A large interaction effect with a reduction of both oxygen consumption (p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.34) and minute ventilation (p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.39) was observed. At the termination of the test with SM 11 of 16 subjects reported acute dyspnea from the suction of the wet and deformed mask. No difference in performance was observed at the individual anaerobic threshold (p = 0.90). Conclusion Both SM and to a lesser extent FFP2 were associated with reduced maximum performance, minute ventilation, and oxygen consumption. For strenuous anaerobic exercise, an FFP2 mask may be preferred over an SM.

Do Anthropometric and Aerobic Parameters Predict a Professional Career for Adolescent Skiers?

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether spiroergometry performance in adolescent alpine ski racers can predict later advancement to a professional career. Over 10 consecutive years, adolescent skiers of the regional Austrian Youth Skier Squad (local level) underwent annual medical examinations, including exhaustive bicycle spiroergometry. The performance was determined at fixed (2 and 4 mmol/l serum lactate) and individual (individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) and lactate equivalent (LAE)) thresholds. Data from the last available test were compared between skiers who later advanced to the professional level (Austrian national ski team) and those who did not. Ninety-seven alpine skiers (n=51 male; n=46 female); mean age 16.6 years (range 15–18) were included. Of these, 18 adolescents (n=10 male; n=8 female) entered a professional career. No significant differences were found for maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). Athletes advancing to the professional level had significantly higher performance and VO2 at LAE. Additionally, male professionals had significantly higher performances at fixed thresholds and the IAT. The performance and VO2 at the LAE, and thus the ability to produce power at a particular metabolic threshold, was the most relevant spiroergometric parameter to predict a later professional career.

Predicting Trail-Running Performance With Laboratory Exercise Tests and Field-Based Results

Purpose: Trail running is a complex sport, and performance prediction is challenging. The aim was to evaluate 3 standard laboratory exercise tests in trail runners and correlate measurements to the race time of a trail competition evaluating its predictive power. Methods: Nine competitive male trail runners (mean age: 31 [5.8] y) completed 3 different laboratory exercise tests (step, ramp, and trail tests) for determination of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), vVO2max, ventilatory (VT) and lactate thresholds (LT), mechanical power output, and running economy (RE), followed by a 31-km trail race. Runners had previously participated in the same race (previous year) and finished in the top 2%. Finishing times (dependent value) were tested in multiple-regression analysis with different independent value combinations. Results: Linear-regression analysis revealed that variables measured during step and ramp tests significantly predicted performance. Step-test variables (speed at individual anaerobic threshold 16.4 [1.7] km/h and RE 12 km/h in %VO2max 65.6% [5.4%]) showed the highest performance prediction (R2 = .651, F2,6 = 5.60, P = .043), followed by the ramp test (vVO2max 20.3 [1.3] km/h; R2 = .477, F1,7 = 6.39, P = .04) and trail test (maximal power 3.9 [0.5] W/kg, VO2max 63.0 [4.8] mL O2·kg−1·min−1, vVT1 11.9 [0.7] km/h; R2 = .68, F3,5 = 3.52, P = .11). Adding race time from the preceding year to the step test improved the predictive power of the model (R2 = .988, F3,5 = 66.51, P < .001). Conclusions: The graded exercise test (VO2max, individual anaerobic threshold, and RE) most accurately predicted a 31.1-km trail-running performance. Combining submaximal intensities (individual anaerobic threshold and RE) with the previous year’s race time of that specific event increased the predictive power of the model to 99%.

Functional Threshold Power in Cyclists: Validity of the Concept and Physiological Responses

Functional threshold power is defined as the highest power output a cyclist can maintain in a quasi-steady state for approximately 60 min (FTP60). In order to improve practicality for regular evaluations, FTP60 could theoretically be determined as 95% of the mean power output in a 20-min time trial (FTP20). This study tested this assumption and the validity of FTP20 and FTP60 against the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT). Twenty-three trained male cyclists performed an incremental test to exhaustion, 20- and 60-min time trials, and a time to exhaustion at FTP20. Power output, heart rate and oxygen uptake representing FTP20, FTP60 and IAT were not different (p>0.05), and large to very large correlations were found (r=0.61 to 0.88). Bland-Altman plots between FTP20, FTP60 and IAT showed small bias (–1 to –5 W), but large limits of agreement ([–40 to 32 W] to [–62 to 60 W]). Time to exhaustion at FTP20 was 50.9±15.7 min. In conclusion, FTP20 and FTP60 should not be used interchangeably on an individual basis and their validity against IAT should be interpreted with caution.

Comparison of maximal lactate steady state with V2, V4, individual anaerobic threshold and lactate minimum speed in horses

The anaerobic threshold is a physiologic event studied in various species. There are various methods for its assessment, recognized in the human and equine exercise physiology literature, several of these involving the relationship between blood lactate concentration (LAC) and exercise load, measured in a standardized exercise test. The aim of this study was to compare four of these methods: V2, V4, individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) and lactate minimum speed (LMS) with the method recognized as the gold standard for the assessment of anaerobic threshold, maximal lactate steady-state (MLSS). The five tests were carried out in thirteen trained Arabian horses, in which velocities and associated LAC could be measured. The mean velocities and the LAC associated with the anaerobic threshold for the five methods were respectively: V2 = 9.67±0.54; V4 = 10.98±0.47; V IAT = 9.81±0.72; V LMS = 7.50±0.57 and V MLSS = 6.14±0.45m.s-1 and LAC IAT = 2.17±0.93; LAC LMS = 1.17±0.62 and LAC MLSS = 0.84±0.21mmol.L-1. None of the velocities were statistically equivalent to V MLSS (P<0.05). V2, V4 and V LMS showed a good correlation with V MLSS , respectively: r = 0.74; r = 0.78 and r = 0.83, and V IAT did not significantly correlate with V MLSS. Concordance between the protocols was relatively poor, i.e., 3.28±1.00, 4.84±0.30 and 1.43±0.32m.s-1 in terms of bias and 95% agreement limits for V2, V4 and LMS methods when compared to MLSS. Only LAC LMS did not differ statistically from LAC MLSS. Various authors have reported the possibility of the assessment of anaerobic threshold using rapid protocols such as V4 and LMS for humans and horses. This study corroborates the use of these tests, but reveals that adjustments in the protocols are necessary to obtain a better concordance between the tests and the MLSS.